WAUKESHA –The University of Wisconsin-Waukesha Symphonic Band, Jazz Ensemble, and Hand Bell Choir will present their annual spring concert Saturday, April 26, at 7:30 p.m. in the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, located in the Fine Arts Center on campus at 1500 N. University Dr., Waukesha. Admission is free, and the public is invited.

The program opens with the Jazz Ensemble, led by director of bands Craig Hurst and performing original arrangements of Charles Mingus’ Goodbye Porkpie Hat, Gil Evans’ Blue for Pablo, and  Miles Davis’ All Blues. Freshman guitarist Brandon Miller will be featured soloist on his own arrangement of April in Paris, and student conductor Joshua Backes will introduce his new composition.

Then, the Hand Bell Choir, directed by Nancy Van Brunt, will take the stage, accompanied by trumpets, French horn, trombone, and tuba in Susato’s Danza.  Performances include solos by percussionist Alex Sykes and ringer Samantha Bargenquast and piano accompaniments by Van Brunt.

After a brief intermission, the Symphonic Band, also directed by Hurst, will open with Barry Kopetz’s From the Cedars to the Mountain. They will present Morton Gould’s Ballad for Band, the relatively new Eric Whitacre work, Lux Aurumque, and the lighter Phantom of the Opera. The program closes with a march by Haydn Wood. 

Instrumentalists include students and members of the community.

Jazz Ensemble

Brookfield: David Langer, trumpet

Dousman: Ross Hubanks, percussion

Pewaukee: Brandon Miller, guitar

Waukesha:  Joshua Backes, composer/conductor; Brian Hoeft, baritone saxophone; Andrew Rayburn, trumpet; Carrie Schrader, violin; Alex Sykes, percussion

Hand bell Choir

Hubertus:  Shanna Webb

Pewaukee:  Cassandra Heckenkamp

Waukesha:  Samantha Bargenquast, Amanda Radke and Alex Sykes

Symphonic Band

Brookfield:  Marie Conway, flute and piccolo; David Langer, trumpet; Sandy Lefevre, French horn

Franklin: Paul Stein, French horn

Greenfield: Randy Simon, trumpet

Menomonee Falls: Tom Haefner, trombone; Dana and Laura Knoerr, percussion

Milwaukee: Sandy Frisque, French horn

Mukwonago: Richard Hanson, trumpet

Muskego: Chris Weltzin, alto saxophone

New Berlin: Beverly Mutter, clarinet; Bess Strempel, French horn

Oconomowoc:  John Lillethun, clarinet

Ottawa:  Alan Buchanan, trumpet

Pewaukee:  Lora Mueller, flute

Sussex:  Joshua Schwitz, bass clarinet

Waterford: Brandi Gomolinski, clarinet

Waukesha: Lauren Bantz, clarinet; Mary Cyrulik, string bass; Andrew Douglas, tuba; Jennifer Esh, clarinet; Brian Hoeft, baritone saxophone; Jon Kasparek, euphonium; Melissa Niess, flute; Michael Poytinger, bass clarinet; Andrew Rayburn, trumpet; Mary Reese, oboe; Heather Simpson, clarinet; Alex Sykes, percussion; John Woodard, euphonium

Wauwatosa:  Marcia Smeiska, oboe

West Allis: Jessica Turtenwald, bass clarinet

Williams Bay: Ashlie Pharris, clarinet

And joining the group from Orland, Maine, is Don Blodgett, trombone.

UW-Waukesha has the largest enrollment among the 13 freshman-sophomore University of Wisconsin Colleges campuses, offering associate of arts & science degrees and the best start on a college degree and unlimited career opportunities. For information about programs, admission or financial aid, contact the Student Services office at 888-2UW-WAUK (888-289-9285) or visit the Web at waukesha.uwc.edu.

###